(Closed) Article: 10 Things New Parents Don’t Need

• runsyellowlites
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: April 2011

@miss-spunkin: That makes total sense! I’d probably want to get one with those circumstances too =)

• troubled
• 8 years ago

To each there own.  I like having a dedicated changing area where all the diapers go.  When we start changing her anywhere I lose track of where her diapers are.  We got ours in good shape for $30 on craigslist and then got a changing pad for our baby shower – both worth it.

Video monitor – have it but haven’t used it yet, I like the idea though and as she learns to climb I think I will love it.

High chair – I have one that connects to your own chairs and can recline for newborns.  I love it.  She uses it a lot and it’s nice for her to be at our level, she likes babbling to us while she sits there.

Bassinet – We have a swing (that she sleeps in) and a pack n play with newborn napper.  Both got lots and lots of use.  Maybe not necessary but the swing was sooo wonderful and the pack n play downstairs was nice to be able to have her nap without having her too far from me. 

Nothing’s really necessary but some of the stuff does make life easier.

• MsMamaBear
• 8 years ago

We have 2 bassinetts- downstairs and up, changing table- really good b/c you will get a back ache! Wish we had a wipe warmer, she screams at the coldness. The rest we don’t have. Bedding was expensive, but it’s not like Pottery Barn.LMAO The rest, we don’t have,like high chair will be bought as she grows.

Sasha2011- A lot of ours came from cosignments except for carseat/crib. I LOVE those stores! good stuff for cheap! LOL

• eeniebeans
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: October 2010

I do have a changing table (that is removable from the dresser when the baby is older).  We also have the Diaper Genie.  Other than that- no.

• MissDareDevil
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: April 2011

wow, as someone pregnant with their first, i totally needed this article!

i agree with every single item on this list, except for the crib bedding. i am a decorating nut, and i would rather take the quilt out of the crib every single time i put the baby in it (and have the nursery look cute) than not have a quilt at all. but that’s it!

i have always thought that diaper genies and wipe warmers were CRAZY! and we plan on using a dresser for the changing table…

thanks for sharing!

• rachiecakes
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: January 2011

So far we’ve got a high chair and a diaper genie. The high chair goes perfectly with our dining room set, I couldn’t not get it. And the diaper genie came at the suggestion of a friend – we live in a small townhouse and have access to a dumpster so we’ll see how often we’ll use it when the little guy arrives. 

Originally I bought the changing table that matched the crib but couldn’t handle all the furniture in the house. It was getting waaay too crowded, so I returned it (after a hormonal crying fit, lol). 

I do have quite a few designer baby clothing items but it’s because I love clothing myself and while I can’t indulge on the cute designer items for myself right now, there have been a few little boy things that I just couldn’t resist! 

• Neva
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: June 2010

I’ve had three babies.  I’ve owned most of the stuff on this list and really didn’t use most of it.  

Designer Nursery – I didn’t have a designer anything.

Bedding (excludes fitted crib sheets):  While I didn’t buy designer things, I did have a decorated nursery, with everything matching.  I ended up having to throw away the bumper pad and I didn’t really use the comforter.  We ended up using mostly a plain white fitted crib sheet (can be bleached and switched out easily) and a blanket in the crib and putting baby in a warm sleeper.

Changing Table:  I had a changing table.  I mainly used it as diaper and wipe storage. The table never got used.  I really found it awkward.  I was most comfortable putting a blanket down on the floor and sitting on the floor and changing the baby.

Bassinet:  Had this too.  I used it for a very short time because once baby can roll, it just seems a bit wobbly.  I got way more use out of the infant insert in the pack and play.

Expensive Newborn Clothing:  Had quite a bit (mostly gifts).  They wet or spit up an the expensive stuff just like the cheap stuff.  But it was nice to have a few really nice outfits.

Video Monitor:  Never had one.  Did use a regular monitor though.

High Chair (own it before 6 months):  Didn’t use at all until baby was sitting up and eating.  

Wipe Warmer:  Got one as a gift.  Didn’t use it because it dried the wipes out very quickly.  More trouble than it was worth.

Diaper Genie:  Also got as a gift. It was way more trouble than it was worth and NO ONE wants to empty it.  It was far easier to just wrap smelly diapers really well in a plastic grocery bag and throw diapers away in a trash can in the garage.

• artbee
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: February 2010

1 Designer Nursery. Ours isn’t designer, it’s DIY. I did put a lot of time into it, not money. And I’m glad I did, people do notice and compliment it!

2.Bedding: We didn’t buy any. First of all I didn’t see any I loved, and second of all I didn’t feel like we’d use it.

3. Changing Table: We bought a little side table that we can use later on in another room.

4. Bassinet: We have a bassinet and pack n play. But that does make sense to just get the one.

5. Clothing: I didn’t buy any clothes. I had a girl, people were very happy to buy them for me 🙂

6. Video monitor: We have an audio and i’m not even sure that’s necessary for us, our house is so small!

7. High Chair: We registered for one. One less thing to have to buy ourselves later on in life.

8. Wipe warmer: Passed on this and the bottle warmer.

9. A lot of anything: Agreed, but I didn’t really listen to it. I bought 30 cloth diapers for $25 each, a huge investment! It was scary for me (especially b/c everyone kept saying I wouldn’t be able to do it!) but luckily we love them.

10. Diaper pail: I like it. I like having a safe place for the poo.

• chicagowife
• 8 years ago

Quick two cents:

• My baby never seemed to care about cold wipes. 
• I Love my Diaper Genie II Elite.  I have literally NEVER SMELLED A DIRTY DIAPER. And I don’t even empty it as often as I should.  I have two – one for each floor of our house. 
• We also love our video monitor.  It certainly isn’t required but it’s really nice, as nervous new parents, to be able to see that she’s quiet because she’s ASLEEP, not because she’s DEAD.  (JK, sort of.)

But remember, if you’re on a budget you can get SO MUCH on craigslist used but in really good condition.  Also look to your church or to consignment sales.  Good luck pregnant ladies! 

• eloping
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: May 2010

@chicagowife: i liked your diaper genie comment – i bought this for a friends baby shower and it thought a bit of a stupid idea (i mean just put the diaper in a plastic bag i thought) but good to know people that actually use it like it

im not planning on being a mom but if i ever am – im getting the stokke change table, its about $1000 down here but its the only one i like when i go baby stuff shopping with friends

• Mrs. DG
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: July 2009

I didn’t have any of these things except the changing table… and I didn’t get that until we moved at 4 months of age…  You don ‘t really need anything except some food source, diapers and parents for a newborn, and amazingly they’ll still thrive!

• beekiss
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: November 2013

@Mrs. DG:  Exactly.  This is what I’m planning if/when we have kids.  All the money that could be spent on these items will be placed into a savings account to start their college fund.

• harmonyeee
• 8 years ago

• Wedding: May 2009

oh and also, i LOVE our changing table. i consider that a must have, unless you already have a dresser with a flat top that can be converted. for the first few weeks, we just used a changing mat on the bed or floor, which is okay, but in the days and weeks after delivering a baby the last thing i wanted to do was climb on and off the floor every other hour! the table makes it much easier – all the diapers and supples are organized neatly in baskets underneath which is nice.